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Biomedical subjects

C O'Donnell

Publications and source records attributed to C O'Donnell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Computed tomography detection of active mesenteric hemorrhage following blunt abdominal trauma.

Following blunt abdominal trauma, patients still may be actively bleed ing, despite seeming hemodynamically stable. By detecting extravasation of contrast-enhanced blood in the absence of any other evidence to support solid visceral injury as the source, computed tomography (CT) scanning was able to indicate ongoing hemorrhage in two patients, thought most likely of mesenteric origin. This information influenced the decision for intervention, which in these two cases was laparotomy, where bleeding torn mesenteric vessels were confirmed.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1996

Therapeutic monitoring of continuous infusion etoposide in small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of therapeutic monitoring of etoposide at different plasma concentrations of the drug, and the resulting pharmacodynamic effects of such an approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine previously untreated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients received single-agent etoposide every 3 weeks by continuous infusion over 5 days. Plasma etoposide concentrations were monitored 18 and 66 hours into the infusion to permit dose modification. The first cohort of 15 patients began treatment with etoposide 2 micrograms/mL, with dose escalation to 3 micrograms/mL for cycles 3 and 4 and 4 micrograms/mL for cycles 5 and 6, toxicity permitting. The second cohort of 34 patients commenced at 3 micrograms/mL, with dose escalation to 4 and 5 micrograms/mL on cycles 3 and 5, respectively. RESULTS: Mean plasma etoposide concentration during the first treatment cycle was 93.4% +/- 26.6% of the target level at 18 hours (57% of patients within +/- 20% of the target) and 98.9% +/- 14.5% of the target level at 66 hours (82% of patients within +/- 20%). Hematologic toxicity was more pronounced in those treated with 3 micrograms/mL versus 2 micrograms/mL (median nadir neutrophil count, 1.3 v 2.6 x 10(9)/L, P = .032). Tumor responses, typically documented by the third cycle, were similar in each cohort (71% in patients commenced at 2 micrograms/mL and 70% at 3 micrograms/mL). Treatment cohort was not independently predictive of survival. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic monitoring of infusional etoposide is feasible and dramatically reduces interpatient pharmacokinetic variability. Although this was a small nonrandomized trial, the observation of different hematologic toxicity at the two starting concentrations but similar antitumor activity further suggests that these effects may be associated with different plasma etoposide concentrations.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1995

Clinical infections in the noninstitutionalized geriatric age group: methods utilized and incidence of infections. The Pittsburgh Good Health Study.

Because noninstitutionalized senior citizens comprise over 95% of the population 65 years of age and older, their health needs are a major concern. Data regarding infections in this population including the epidemiology, morbidity, and mortality are lacking. The authors recruited a study population of 417 free-living persons, all 65 years of age or older, from two neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After the collection of self-reported baseline information from these persons, they were monitored for all clinical infections for 2 years, beginning July 1986 and through June 1988, using clinic visits, hospitalizations, or phone calls when needed. The baseline information showed the study population of 417 persons to be comparable with a neighborhood comparison group and with established populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly in three other states. The 24 months of infection surveillance yielded 494 diagnosed infections in 224 or 54% of the subjects. Respiratory infections were most frequent with 259 or 52% of the total, followed by genitourinary infections with 24%, skin infections with 18%, gastrointestinal infections with 4%, and other types of infection with 2%. By comparing 22 self-reported baseline conditions with the occurrence of infection, 10 historic factors were univariately significant for infection. Of these 10 factors, only history of a lung problem (relative risk = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.9) and history of difficulty controlling urination (relative risk = 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-4.9) were statistically significant in multivariate analysis. To our knowledge, this study represents the first prospective data on infections in the noninstitutionalized elderly. The data demonstrate the wide variety of infections that occurred in this population and suggest that persons with a history of any one of several medical problems were possibly at greater risk for infection.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The 1994 Australian Radiology Workforce Committee Report.

The task assigned to the College Workforce Subcommittee by the RACR Federal Council is to define current radiologist and trainee numbers, analyse professional demographics, and attempt to forecast radiologist numbers and the medical demand for radiological services. The period of this forecast is for 7 years leading up to 2001. This time course has been chosen on the basis of a 2 year period before any recommendation by Council could be instituted by the Educational Board and 5 years before any change in trainee numbers would be reflected in radiologist numbers. By necessity, assumptions have been made in formulating the final calculations and recommendations; the most difficult being the designation of an 'optimum' number of radiologists for our population. This assignment is an ongoing review and prediction process. The results and conclusions should be compared and contrasted to previous reports, in particular the 1992 Manpower Study.

Australia↗
PubMed1995

Video-based sexually transmitted disease patient education: its impact on condom acquisition.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the impact of video-based educational interventions on condom acquisition among men and women seeking services at a large sexually transmitted disease clinic in the South Bronx, New York. METHODS: During 1992, 3348 African American and Hispanic patients were enrolled in a clinical trial of video-based interventions designed to promote safer sex behaviors, including increased condom use. Patients were assigned to one of three groups: control, video, or video plus interactive group discussion. Subjects were given a coupon to redeem for free condoms at a pharmacy several blocks from the clinic. Rates of condom acquisition were assessed by level of intervention. RESULTS: In comparison with a control group, subjects who viewed videos were significantly more likely to redeem coupons for condoms (21.2% redemption rate vs 27.6%). However, participation in interactive sessions after video viewing augmented the positive effects of video viewing alone (27.6% redemption rate vs 36.9%). Gender and ethnicity were significantly associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The condom acquisition are almost doubled with the use of culturally appropriate, video-based interventions. Designed to present minimal disruption to clinical services, these interventions can be implemented in clinics servicing at-risk men and women.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

After intensive care--what then?

The total dependence that, from necessity, must be the lot of an intensive care patient can lead to a state of learned helplessness as they recover. In addition, the physical frailty of these patients further confounds their first attempts at independence. It is at this stage that patients need clear information about the road ahead and in a form that they can refer back to as needed when they are discharged to the general wards and then home. As many intensive care patients have little or no memory of the intensive care unit (ICU) afterwards and only gradually come to understand how ill they have been, the provision of an information booklet on discharge to the general wards seemed likely to be the most sensible approach. The booklet addresses topics such as transfer to the wards and possible problems patient might face during their convalescence. In addition common sense advice is offered to help patients regain their independence and control of their own health. The information is presented in a clear concise way and the booklet is liberally illustrated with cartoons. Relatives are encouraged to read the booklet as well and provisional results have shown it to be well received by both patients and relatives.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMed1993

Controlled trial of a continuous irrigation suction catheter vs conventional intermittent suction catheter in clearing bronchial secretions from ventilated patients.

Continuous irrigation-suction catheter (Irri-cath) is a double-lumen device that allows for simultaneous saline solution infusion and aspiration. This system may theoretically be more effective than conventional dry intermittent suction due to its vortex principle. To test this hypothesis, we performed 200 suction maneuvers in 20 ventilated patients. Identically shaped catheters were used in a randomized sequence. For the same individual, we used equal instilled saline solution volume (40 ml), vacuum pressure (-180 cm H2O), and ventilatory parameters. Effectiveness of suction was determined by measuring the total aspirated volume, the dry lyophilized weight of secretion, the corrected dry weight (dry weight-weight of instilled salt), and protein concentration. No difference in heart rate, respiratory frequency, O2 saturation, systemic blood pressure, peak inspiratory pressure, or patient discomfort was found when the two modalities were compared; however, the total volume of secretions collected, the dry weight, the corrected dry weight, and the protein concentration were significantly higher with continuous irrigation suction catheter when compared with the conventional method (p < 0.05). The suction time was shorter with the Irri-cath (p < 0.05). We conclude that the Irri-Cath is more effective than conventional intermittent suction catheter in clearing bronchial secretions in patients on mechanical ventilation.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1992

The effect of aerosolized recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor on lung leukocytes in nonhuman primates.

The number and function of myeloid cells in the lungs are critical determinants of health and disease. To examine whether these cells can be modulated in vivo by a colony-stimulating factor (CSF), recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) was given to cynomolgus monkeys by either continuous intravenous infusion (7,200 U/kg/day) for 2 wk or by aerosol exposure to 10(7) U on 1 or 2 consecutive days. At intervals after the initiation of GM-CSF administration, animals underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and had peripheral blood sampled to characterize changes in lung and circulating phagocytic cells. Compared with animals exposed to bovine serum albumin, there was an increase in the total number of BAL cells retrieved. This increase was greatest in animals receiving aerosolized GM-CSF, and it was the result of more macrophages and neutrophils. Both lung macrophages and blood neutrophils from animals exposed to aerosolized GM-CSF exhibited an augmented respiratory burst in response to phorbol myristate acetate. Lung macrophages from GM-CSF-exposed animals exhibited increased capacity to bind and/or ingest opsonized and unopsonized Staphylococcus aureus. Despite functional activation of lung phagocytic cells, biochemical analyses of BAL fluid for markers of lung injury revealed an increase in only some parameters in the GM-CSF group. Intravenous administration of GM-CSF had the expected effect on augmenting the number of myeloid cells in the bloodstream. Aerosolized GM-CSF produced a transient effect on circulating myeloid cell number between 3 and 5 days after exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1990

Silent myocardial ischemia. Is the person or the event silent?

The symptoms of organic disease vary widely among patients with the same tissue abnormality, because the experience of a symptom is shaped by the patient's perceptual and cognitive style. Thus, the relationship between myocardial ischemia and chest pain is variable in that many patients experience pain without ischemia and many others exhibit ischemia without pain-termed "silent" or "asymptomatic ischemia." Although the nature of the ischemic event may be important in determining the degree of associated pain, we suggest more study of the individual who perceives the event. Myocardial ischemia may not generate a spontaneous report of chest pain because the patient is generally hyposensitive to visceral sensation; because he or she is coping with the threat of heart disease by denying the evidence of it--ie, denying the pain to deny the disease; or because the patient misunderstands the cause and significance of a vague or ambiguous cardiac sensation, normalizing the symptom and misattributing it to a nonpathologic cause.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1990

A survey of opinion amongst trained nurses and junior medical staff on current practices in resuscitation.

An anonymously-completed questionnaire was used to examine the opinions of trained nurses and their junior medical colleagues regarding the resuscitation of a patient following cardiac arrest. Nurses were less satisfied with their pre-qualification training and recorded lower scores on a subjective assessment of performance than did the doctors. Those nurses who had attended some post-qualification training in resuscitation were significantly more confident of their resuscitation skills. Both doctors and nurses agreed on some frequently-encountered problems such as the presence of too many people and the uncertainty of those present of the role they should assume. Doctors recorded poor initial resuscitation and the absence of equipment as common problems significantly more often than did the nurses. Nurses showed a lack of knowledge of the drugs used during a resuscitation: 30% were unsure of the function of more than half of the drugs. Nearly 20% of nurses showed a similar lack of knowledge with regard to the equipment used. Those having post-qualification training in resuscitation recorded significantly greater knowledge in these areas. Widespread support was shown for the proposed initiation of compulsory resuscitation lectures, the presence on each ward of resuscitation equipment and more clearly defined roles for those taking part in the procedure. A requirement for a full-time resuscitation officer is clearly indicated.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗